Gay List Daily’s Memorial Day Weekend Events

by Staff of Gay List Daily

Admit it, your brain goes to a different place once Memorial Weekend rolls around. It’s like a Pavlovian response to summer and all the fun to be had. Suddenly workdays are spent daydreaming of lazy afternoons in the pool, vacations to sandy beaches or just grilling out in the backyard with friends. (Did we mention they are shirtless beefcake friends fanning us with palm fronds in our version?). Well, your moment in the sun has arrived so Carpe Extended Weekend and enjoy some of these festivities about town.

Artfest

Friday-Sunday, May 23-25

While in general we are pro-nudity, we have a strong stance against it when it comes to bare walls. So say goodbye to vast expanses of eggshell white and hello to glorious art provided by hundreds of artists from around the nation. Along the way, you can take in music, food and libations. But don’t get so “libated” that you forgot your mission – art.

Tickets: Friday Winestroll preview - $20 at the gate, $15 advanced purchase; Saturday & Sunday - $6 at the gate, $5 advance purchase; Fair Park, Dallas; www.artfest500.com

Ring of Fire

Through Sunday, May 25

Just like that boy named Sue, we’ve also had something that burned like a ring of fire, but a lil’ Penicillin cleared it right up. And another Johnny coincidence – that “ring of fire” came about right after our visit to Folsom Prison, too. It’s like we were twins separated at birth, except we don’t have a biopic musical written about us…yet.

Tickets: $11 - $71; Music Hall at Fair Park; www.dallassummermusicals.org

Cyndi Lauper’s Bring Ya To The Brink Album Release Party

Thursday, May 29

Girls may just want to have fun, but they don’t mind getting a royalty check in the process. Gay fave Cyndi Lauper is launching a new album on May 27, just in time for the True Colors Tour (in Dallas June 22). And being the devoted gaggle of gays we are, JR’s is throwing a special launch party to celebrate with CD giveaways and everything. Shebopping is not only expected, it’s required!

JR’s Bar & Grill; www.partyattheblock.com

Lake of Fire

Through Friday, June 6

If you liked Ring of Fire, have we got a deal for you – a whole lake of it. Well, at least that’s what artist Joshua S. Goode has titled his latest collection of mixed-media artwork at the Ice House Cultural Center. Perhaps Earth, Wind and Fire playing softly in the distance would add to the overall elementy ambiance?

Ice House Cultural Center; (214) 670-7524; www.myspace.com/194891921